08:30 LRN Newscast, December 5th

The race for Louisiana Public Service Commission’s third district is getting national attention. Incumbent Lambert Boissiere the third is facing a stiff challenge from activist Davante Lewis in the December 10th runoff. Both are Democrats. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis has raised so much money that Lambert is taking note:
Cut 4 (09) “election”
He says Lewis is also getting help from out of state environmental activists who want the energy industry to shift away from fossil fuels.

The Secretary of State’s Office says over 110,000 residents in Louisiana participated in the Early voting period ahead of the election.

A cruise ship crewmember is in the hospital after the Coast Guard airlifted her from the vessel just south of New Orleans. She was last reported to be in stable condition, according to a news release.

Federal officials say inflation has slowed somewhat in recent weeks. But is it enough to be felt at street level, by the average consumer?
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Saints will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Monday Night Football action tonight. Despite having a 4 and 8 record, New Orleans is still alive to win the NFC South as the Bucs are in 1st place with a 5-6 record. Kickoff tonight is at 7:15pm.

07:30 LRN Newscast, December 5th

The holiday shopping season got off to a good start for retailers and it’s anticipated to continue. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Gas prices continue to fall in Louisiana. AAA reports the current statewide average is $2.96 which is down from $3.07 from the same time last week, and over 11 cents lower than a year ago.

Inflation has slowed slightly according to the federal Department of Commerce. Rising costs and prices had been at over 8 percent from last year recently, but now is at about 6 percent. U.L.-Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner thinks the labor market will continue to slow, meaning the economy will continue to worsen…:
Cut 11 (11) “real consistent yet”

The LSU AgCenter says this year’s sugarcane crop could set a new record if sugar recovery levels continue to perform well. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says a couple of dry months in the harvest season, allowed the sugarcane harvest in south Louisiana to get off to a fast start…:
Cut 7 (10) “for harvest”

 

06:45 LRN Sportscast, December 5th

After losing the SEC Championship game, LSU will have an opportunity to win its tenth game of the season when they play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on January second at noon. Coach Brian Kelly believes it’s already been a successful season winning the SEC West, but getting to ten wins would be really sweet…:
Cut 16 (18) “on the back”

After winning the AAC, Tulane will play in the Cotton Bowl and face USC on January 2nd. Coach Willie Fritz…:
Cut 19 (18) “to it”

UL-Lafayette will make its first ever appearance in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport and will take on Houston on December 23rd. The bowl appearance for The Ragin Cajuns will be its 12th in school history, and the meeting with Houston will be the 10th between the schools.

The Saints visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight in Monday night football. New Orleans is four and eight, but still alive to win the NFC South as the Bucs are in first place with a five and-six record. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan says they can’t suffer any more losses…:
Cut 20 (11) “on that”
The game will kick off at 7:15.

The Pelicans won their 4th straight game beating the Denver Nuggets 121-106 Sunday. Jose Alvarado put on quite a show in the game posting a career high 38-point performance.

06:30 LRN Newscast, December 5th

The federal Department of Commerce reports inflation has slowed slightly; now about 6 percent higher than one year ago. Rising costs and prices had been at over 8 percent recently, posting 40-year highs. Will this small decrease be enough to be felt by consumers? U.L.-Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner says the answer is probably “no”…:
Cut 10 (12) “at least into 2023”

But consumers aren’t slowing down their holiday shopping and spending this year is expected to increase 6-8 percent from last year. LSU Marketing Associate Professor Dan Rice…:
Cut 15 (08) “earlier and earlier”
He also attributes the increase in shopping to more people using their phones to make online purchases.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission December 10th runoff in the third district is getting national attention, and out of state dollars. Incumbent Lambert Boissiere is facing a stiff challenge from activist Davante Lewis. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis’ support is likely rooted in anger over skyrocketing electric bills..:
Cut 5 (08) “at it”
Environmental advocates are keeping a close eye on the PSC race, as the push to shift away from fossil fuels rages.

LSU is headed to the Citrus Bowl and will face Purdue for the first time ever. The game will be on January 2nd. UL-Lafayette will appear in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport for the first time ever and will face Houston on December 23rd. Tulane won the AAC and will play USC in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd.

LRN AM Newscall December 5

The runoff election for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 3 is getting national attention—and a lot of money is being spent. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Marsanne Golsby ”

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Federal officials say inflation has slowed somewhat in recent weeks. But is it enough to be felt at street level, by the average consumer?

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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 The holiday shopping season got off to a good start for retailers and it’s anticipated to continue. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The race for Louisiana Public Service Commission’s third district is getting national attention. Fifty-seven-year-old incumbent Lambert Boissiere the third is facing a stiff challenge from thirty-year-old activist Davante Lewis in the December 10th runoff election. Both are Democrats.  “LAPolitics.com “publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis has raised so much money that Lambert is taking note.

Cut 4 (09)  “…election.”

Alford says campaign finance reports show Lewis raised $30,000 in one three-day period last week. A high-profile Super PAC has about $1.1 million and is using it to attack Boissiere. The five-member commission regulates utilities and sets electric rates.  Alford says Lewis’s support is likely rooted in anger over skyrocketing electric bills.

Cut 5 (08) “…at it.”

Alford adds a major infusion of out-of-state donations is helping Lewis. Many are from environmental activists who want the energy industry to shift away from fossil fuels.

Cut 6 (09)  “…barnburner.” 

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The LSU AgCenter says its possible this year’s sugarcane crop could set a new record if sugar recovery levels continue to perform well. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says a couple of dry months in the harvest season, allowed this season’s sugarcane harvest in south Louisiana to get off to a fast start…

Cut 7 (10) “…for harvest”

Gravois says it looks like the crop will produce some 245 pounds of sugar for each ton of sugarcane harvested, which could lead to a record crop…

Cut 8 (06)  “…crop.”

Early in the season, mills were struggling due to high molasses levels, but Gravois says it appears the problem has solved itself…

Cut 9 (10)  “…sugar recovery”

According to the American Sugar Cane League, Louisiana’s sugar industry had an economic impact of about three-billion dollars in our state, with nearly 17-thousand jobs throughout Louisiana supported by sugarcane.

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The federal Department of Commerce reports inflation has slowed slightly; now at about 6 percent higher than one year ago. Rising costs and prices had been at over 8 percent recently, posting 40-year highs. Will this small decrease be enough to be felt by consumers? U.L.-Lafayette economics professor Gary Wagner says the answer is probably “no”…:

Cut 10 (12) “…at least into 2023.” 

The Fed has raised interest rates benchmark interest rates six times since March to try to slow runaway inflation, and this latest indicates there is some success. However, Wagner thinks the labor market will continue to slow, meaning the economy will continue to worsen…:

Cut 11 (11)  “…real consistent yet.”

Despite that, Wagner says the 2022 holiday shopping season is expected to be improved from last year…:

Cut 12 (10) “…that’s favorable.”

Last week, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said more interest rate hikes are coming, but will likely be smaller than the six three-quarters-of-a-percent jumps seen earlier this year.

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With the holiday shopping season up and running for over a week now, economists are predicting spending this year to increase anywhere from six to eight percent from last year.  LSU Marketing Associate Professor Dan Rice says the prediction also has to account for record inflation.

Cut 13 (11) “…up seventeen percent.”

Rice says online shopping is up two percent from last year because more people are using their phones to make online purchases. Rice says the majority of online transactions are purchased via a smartphone versus a tablet.

Cut 14 (11)  “…mobile device.”

Shopping trends have proven fruitful for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday this year. Rice says more retailers are extending their sales period and customers are responding.

Cut 15 (08)  “…earlier and earlier.”

And barring any supply chain disruptions, an increase in fuel costs, etc., Rice expects sales to continue to go well for most retailers.

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After losing in the SEC Championship game, LSU will have an opportunity to win its tenth game of the season in Orlando when they play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on January second at noon. Coach Brian Kelly believes it’s already been a successful season winning the SEC West, but getting to ten wins would be really sweet…

Cut  16 (18)  “..on the back” 

There’s a chance some major contributors to the 2022 team will not play in the bowl game and instead prepare themselves for the NFL draft. Kelly says they’ll have those discussions with those players…

Cut 17 (19) “….their choice” 

The NCAA transfer portal opens today and LSU hit the portal hard to help create the 2022 season. Kelly says they’ll get some guys out of the portal again this year, but they really want to build the program with players they sign out of high school…

Cut 18 (17) “…and develop” 

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After winning the American Athletic Conference, Tulane will play in the Cotton Bowl and face USC on January 2nd. Coach Willie Fritz says he can’t wait to take on the Trojans…

Cut 19 (18) “….to it”

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The Saints visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight in Monday night football. New Orleans is four and eight, but still alive to win the NFC South as the Bucs are in first place with a five and-six record. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan says they can’t suffer any more losses…

Cut 20 (11) “…on that”

10:30 LRN Newscast Dec 3

In October 28-year-old Jordan Marshall, along with two other Americans, died at his Mexico City Airbnb rental from carbon monoxide poisoning. Now their families are suing the vacation rental to hold them accountable for not requiring detectors at their rentals. Attorney Michael Haggard says hotel chains are held to industry safety standards and there’s no reason why Airbnb shouldn’t either.

Cut 7 (04)  “…to prevent.”

Courtez Hall of New Orleans also died as a result at the rental.

Five Ft. Polk soldiers are charged with the November 25th rape of two women in Rosepine. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says the women who he describes as credible, said their drinks were spiked and all five men raped them. Craft says they sought medical help the morning after the attacks.

Cut 4 (08)  “…had transpired” 

The runoff election for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 3 is getting national attention—and a lot of money is being spent. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Marsanne Golsby ”

 

Early voting ends today at 6 PM for the December 10th election. For a list of voting locations visit Geaux Vote-dot-com. And at three this afternoon the LSU Tigers face off with the Georgia Bulldogs for the SEC championship. LSU is 1 17-and-a-half-point underdog. Kickoff is a 3:00 o’clock.

9:30 LRN Newscast Dec 3

Five Fort Polk soldiers are under arrest in Vernon Parish; accused of drugging and raping two Rosepine women. Vernon sheriff Sam Craft says the men allegedly spiked their drinks, then took advantage…:

CUT 03 (11)      “…type scenario.”

Craft says there is both forensic and video evidence of the assault.

28-year-old Jordan Marshall of New Orleans was one of the three Americans who died from carbon monoxide poisoning October 30th at their Airbnb rental in Mexico City. His mother Jennifer Marshall and the families of the other victims want the vacation rental company to be held accountable and require working carbon monoxide detectors at all of their listings.

Cut 6 (07)  “…of hurt.”

Courtez Hall of New Orleans also died at the rental.

In addition to meeting with state leaders on his trip to New Orleans, French President Emmanuel Macron also met with billionaire and owner of Twitter Elon Musk. The two discussed the social media platform after the European Union warned the company, they must do more to protect users from harmful content. Macron and his wife also took a stroll in the French Quarter on Friday and shook hands with those in the crowd.

The office Christmas party returns to the calendar after COVID limited holiday gatherings, so many of us are out practice. UNO Business professor Mark Rosa says watch your alcohol intake, avoid lewd behavior, be understanding if some choose to wear a mask and avoid shop talk if possible.

Cut 14 (08)   “…best behavior.”

8:30 LRN Newscast Dec 3

Vernon Parish authorities charge five soldiers at Ft. Polk with drugging and raping two women in Rosepine…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Golsby.”

A drive-by shooting in Opelousas leaves two women dead. Police say it happened just after 10 Thursday night. The victims were in a parked car, when another vehicle pulled up and started firing. The women were pronounced dead at the scene. St. Landry Crimestoppers offers a $1000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest. 337-948-TIPS.

Office holiday parties are back this year after the pandemic made them off-limits for two Christmases. So, with most of us out of practice…how should we behave? UNO business professor Mark Rosa says – first – don’t overdo it on the alcohol, and if someone chooses to still wear a mask at the party, keep your opinion to yourself…:

CUT 13(05)      “…mask on.”

Rosa says, if the boss invites you, it’s wise to attend.

LSU faces top-ranked Georgia this afternoon for the SEC Championship, with the Tigers a 17 & a half point underdog. Head coach Brian Kelly acknowledges the Bulldogs mighty defense, but says their offense – led by QB Stetson Bennett – is formidable…:

CUT 10(11)      “…in the pocket.”

Kickoff is at 3pm on CBS TV.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast Dec 2

Deputies in Vernon Parish say five soldiers from Fort Polk are behind bars; accused of drugging and raping two Rosepine women. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says the men spiked the women’s drinks and sexually assaulted the victims once they were unconscious. Craft says Army investigators have been helpful in the case…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…to us.”

Craft says there is medical and video evidence of the crimes.

LSU is a 17 & ½ point underdog in the SEC Championship game against Georgia tomorrow. Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo says they need to put pressure on Georgia QB Stetson Barrett…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…in the pocket.”

Kickoff is at 3 pm tomorrow.

 

St. Tammany Parish deputies arrest a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old in connection with the fatal shooting that happened Monday night in Slidell. The younger suspect is in juvenile detention; charged with murder and attempted murder. The older faces the same charges and will be extradited from New Orleans to St. Tammany. The investigation is ongoing.

Chances are you have not been invited to an office holiday party in a couple years, and chances are the pandemic is the reason. Now that Christmas parties with co-workers are back…there are some rules you needs to observe. UNO professor of business Mark Rosa says do NOT drink heavily and do NOT do or say anything vulgar. He also says, if the boss invited you, GO…:

CUT 12  (12)        “……a wise one.”

And ALWAYS tell the boss Monday morning what a great time you had, even if you didn’t. (That one is from me.)

4:45 LRN Sportscast December 2

LSU made its way to Atlanta today for tomorrow afternoon’s SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs defense gets a lot of the headlines, because it leads the nation in scoring defense. But Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is one of four quarterbacks in the SEC to throw for over three-thousand yards this season. LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo says getting pressure on Bennett is a key…
Cut 11 (11) “…in the pocket”
Kick-off is at 3 PM.

Also tomorrow, the American Athletic Conference will be played at a sold out Yulman Stadium as Tulane hosts U-C-F. Southern faces Jackson State in the SWAC Championship Game. Could this be the final game for Deion Sanders as the head coach of the Tigers. Southeastern Louisiana visits Samford in a second round FCS playoff matchup.

The College Football Playoff announced it will expand to 12 teams starting with the 2024 season. LSU Coach Brian Kelly likes having more teams involved in the playoff…
Cut 18 (18) “…college football.”
The Sugar Bowl will be part of the 12-team playoff, hosting quarterfinal games in 2024 and 2025 and then we’ll see what happens after that.

The semi-finals of the high school football playoffs are tonight. Several teams who state championships are still in it. Zachary won the Five-A title last year and they visit Ruston. Westgate won a four-a title last year and they are at Destrehan. Amite won a Two-a title last year and they’ll visit Union Parish, while Homer who won the one-a title last year hosts Mangham.